[iagafoor]

Hi,
My vehicle x3 2013 N20 engine has to be replaced due to timing chain issue last year. At that time, I asked the dealer technician if my vehicle need a transmission oil change ( 145000km) since I never did it. They said, my vehicle does not require transmission oil change or any service since today transmission system is built as maintenance free.
Is that true? I am unable to believe it. I do not want to another major cost from transmission site since I put 165000 km now.

Any advises would help much., Thanks

[Wgosma]

ZF (transmission Mfgr) recommends drain/fill with new fluid and replace pan w/integral filter at about 70K miles. Also so good Idea to fill new transfer case fluid and reset adaptations same time.

No fluid will retain its lubricating effectiveness forever- if you keep car long term this fluid change is very sensible preventative maintenance. Ditto for differential gear oils and engine cooling system, etc.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by iagafoor

Hi,
My vehicle x3 2013 N20 engine has to be replaced due to timing chain issue last year. At that time, I asked the dealer technician if my vehicle need a transmission oil change ( 145000km) since I never did it. They said, my vehicle does not require transmission oil change or any service since today transmission system is built as maintenance free.
Is that true? I am unable to believe it. I do not want to another major cost from transmission site since I put 165000 km now.

Any advises would help much., Thanks

I agree with iagafoor. Your dealer is telling you what BMW has told dealerships to say for years and years. I replaced the tranny fluid and filter in a '94 840 at around 90K miles and it really made a positive difference in how the car shifted and went into and out of park. I also replaced the tranny fluid in a VW diesel Golf and experienced the same positive performance as with the BMW.

If I were you, I would do it and I would do it on any car I planned on driving past the 90K mark.

[iagafoor]

Thanks both. Since dealer is refusing to do transmission service, I have to find reputed transmission service provider in Toronto or Kitchner area .. any Canadian Bimmers , pls help if you know anyone

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by iagafoor

Thanks both. Since dealer is refusing to do transmission service, I have to find reputed transmission service provider in Toronto or Kitchner area .. any Canadian Bimmers , pls help if you know anyone

Right, most BMW dealers just won't do it, they used to but they stopped years ago. I read somewhere that it had something to do with the environment but don't hold me to my foggy memory Whoever you end up going to, be sure their warranty will cover tranny pan leaks and have them drive your car with you in it before and after doing the job. Probably any service center who specializes in tranny's would work. The fluid is pricy, like $20 US/quart when I did mine. Tranny's hold a lot of fluid, around 10-12 quarts on ave. The filter is cheap and the rest is labor. My guess is they can do it all for an hours labor charge.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by Marty in Bgm

The fluid is pricy, like $20 US/quart when I did mine. Tranny's hold a lot of fluid, around 10-12 quarts on ave. The filter is cheap and the rest is labor. My guess is they can do it all for an hours labor charge.

The filter in not cheap since it is built into the tans pan. Fluid is around $27 per quart and a drain and fill takes up to 6. An online price for a trans service kit is ~$285 including pan/filter/fasteners and 7 quarts of ZF fluid. I highly recommend changing the fluid before 60k-70k miles.

Filter Kit

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by pungo

The filter in not cheap since it is built into the tans pan. Fluid is around $27 per quart and a drain and fill takes up to 6. An online price for a trans service kit is ~$285 including pan/filter/fasteners and 7 quarts of ZF fluid. I highly recommend changing the fluid before 60k-70k miles.

Filter Kit

That's diff than my experience on my 840. For me it was just the filter, oil and a new gasket, not the pan and my tranny took a lot more oil. That kit is nice since it also includes new screws. The pan is plastic, mine was aluminum, is it being plastic they reason its included in the kit?

[pungo]

Originally Posted by Marty in Bgm

That's diff than my experience on my 840. For me it was just the filter, oil and a new gasket, not the pan and my tranny took a lot more oil. That kit is nice since it also includes new screws. The pan is plastic, mine was aluminum, is it being plastic they reason its included in the kit?

Did your 840 have a ZF 8 speed trans?
The X3 original pan is plastic (composite) and the filter is built into the pan. The pan in this kit is the same as the original pan. I take it you've never done one in a F25.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by pungo

Did your 840 have a ZF 8 speed trans?
The X3 original pan is plastic (composite) and the filter is built into the pan. The pan in this kit is the same as the original pan. I take it you've never done one in a F25.

No, its was a five speed auto, 5HP30. I was going from memory when I posted last but have now looked at my files. I took the pan down because I wanted to rebuild the valve body and of course it was the prime time to replace the fluid and filter. It took 13 liters of tranny fluid. It shifted soooo nice when I was done and it was smoooooth.

Here's the aluminum pan and some pix of the valve body.

.

[Wgosma]

Indy Euro shop charged $595 last Fall- 8 qts Lifeguard fluid, filter/pan, bolt set & labor.

Also had transfer case fluid drain/fill- car was tad bit smoother shifting and at very low speed (pulling into garage, etc) car no longer 'crept'- completely smooth operation.

Service done at 78K miles.

[Bilbofraggins]

I have an Indy do mine... after I round up the parts...

We will be waiting for the timing belt warranty extension to expire Sep 2021 first.

I do such changes at 60,000 miles...

On my X6M, I paid a Transmission specialist to check the work of the Indy...All was fine...

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by Marty in Bgm

No, its was a five speed auto, 5HP30. I was going from memory when I posted last but have now looked at my files. I took the pan down because I wanted to rebuild the valve body and of course it was the prime time to replace the fluid and filter. It took 13 liters of tranny fluid. It shifted soooo nice when I was done and it was smoooooth.

Here's the aluminum pan and some pix of the valve body.

.

Hmmm, not sure what happened to the pix I uploaded, they were there when I did the upload Well, here they are again,

.